Akita

Embark on a brief but thoughtfully curated journey in New Zealand! Explore the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set, dive into Maori culture at Te Puia, marvel at Waitomo’s glowworm caves and enjoy a delightful lunch at a dairy farm in the countryside. End with an evening in Auckland and dinner at Orbit, the revolving restaurant at Sky Tower.

Special Notes:

•This program involves walking over varied surfaces and the caves are not accessible. For this reason, we do not recommend this program for guests with wheelchairs or scooters.

•Please advise the RSSC Reservations team when you book this program should you have any special dietary restrictions or requirements. Requests will be sent to the vendors for review.

DAY 1 - January 14, 2027

Disembark the ship in Auckland, where you will be met by your guide. Enjoy the scenic drive to Hobbiton where you will explore the magical movie set with a guided tour, wandering past hobbit holes and iconic landmarks.

Enjoy a themed lunch in this enchanting setting.

Next, travel to Te Puia in Rotorua for a guided experience through the geothermal valley. Discover bubbling mud pools, geysers, and rich Maori culture.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional hangi dinner and cultural performance before checking in at your hotel.

DAY 2 – January 15, 2027

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and departing for the famous Waitomo Caves. Upon arrival, take a guided tour through the stunning cave system, known for its impressive limestone formations and magical glowworms.

After the tour, continue to Crosshills for a relaxing countryside home made lunch in a charming spot surrounded by scenic farmland and an English-style garden.

Following lunch, enjoy a comfortable drive back to Auckland. Check into your hotel and then have some time to relax or do some independent sightseeing in the city.

Later In the evening, enjoy a scenic walk to the iconic Sky Tower for dinner at the Orbit Restaurant. Afterward, return to your hotel for a restful night.

DAY 3 – January 16, 2027

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for Auckland International Airport. A private transfer will be arranged according to your flight time.

Private van transfers will be used for 2 or more guests travelling together on the same booking. Private sedans will be used for solo travelers. Vans hold a maximum of four large suitcases and two carry-on’s and sedans hold two large suitcases and one carry-on. Should you have more luggage, a larger vehicle at additional cost may be required.

Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at Reception until your transfer.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing.

•Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

DAY 1

8:00am Disembark the ship in Auckland and meet your guide

8:30am Depart the wharf for Hobbiton

11:25am Arrive at Hobbiton for a guided tour and lunch

2:40pm Depart Hobbiton for Te Puia

4:00pm Arrive at Te Puia for a guided experience and Indigenous evening experience

8:30pm Depart Te Puia for your hotel

8:40pm Arrive at the hotel and check-in

Overnight at the Pullman Hotel Rotorua or similar hotel

DAY 2

6:30am Breakfast at your hotel

8:30am Check out and meet your guide in the lobby

9:00am Depart hotel for Waitomo Caves

11:15am Arrive at Waitomo Caves for guided tour

12:30pm Depart Waitomo Caves for lunch

1:00pm Lunch at Crosshills or similar venue

2:00pm Depart for Auckland

3:30pm Arrive in Auckland and check into your hotel

Afternoon at leisure

4-6:00pmHospitality desk at the hotel – location TBA

6:45pm Meet in the lobby and short walk to Skytower for dinner in the Orbit Restaurant

Overnight at the Grand by Skycity or similar hotel

DAY

6:30am Breakfast at the hotel

10:00am Hotel check out time

TBA Private transfer to Auckland International Airport in accordance with your flight details

Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests with late flights

Extra Nights:

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 10:00am (subject to change).

•Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.

Transfers:

•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 10:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Please Note:

•Waitomo Caves: Photography restrictions. Cameras and video are not allowed inside the Waitomo Glowworm Caves—this is to protect the sensitive glowworms and their ecosystem.

•Waitomo Caves: The caves feature good handrails and paths but are not wheelchair accessible

•You'll be doing a fair amount of walking over varied surfaces. Comfortable walking or hiking shoes are strongly advised.

•Orbit Restaurant: SkyTower: Motion during dining. The rotating platform can cause motion sickness for some—worth noting if you're sensitive to movement.

•Bring layers and stay prepared for the changeable weather. New Zealand’s weather can shift rapidly—sunny skies can turn to showers in minutes. Locals recommend wearing layered clothing and bringing sunscreen—even if it's cool or cloudy, UV levels can still be high.

What to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes, weather appropriate clothing that can be layered, umbrella or rain jacket, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, camera, chargers, medicine

Local Currency:

New Zealand Dollars

Electricity

Voltage: 230 V (sometimes stated as 230–240 V)

We recommend bringing a universal travel adapter for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after travel is required.

Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality for New Zealand.

Most nationalities need either an NZeTA or a visitor visa to enter New Zealand, though Australian citizens are exempt. Use the official NZeTA app to apply. It may take up to 72 hours to process – this must be done prior to travel.

VERY IMPORTANT

The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.

Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.

The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.

If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.

Accommodation:

The Grand By SkyCity

Level 3/90 Federal Street, Auckland Central

Phone: 0064 09 363 6000

Pullman Hotel Rotorua

Address: 1135 Arawa Street, Rotorua 3010

Phone: 0064 7 343 9750

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•1 night at Pullman Rotorua hotel ( subject to change) - Superior King Room

•1 night at The Grand by Skycity (subject to change) - Elite King Room

•All entrances and tours per the above itinerary

•Private airport transfer

•Hospitality Desk on Day 2 - location and time TBA

•2 breakfasts, 2 lunches (including 1 beverage for each lunch) 2 dinners (including 2 beverages for each dinner)

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Additional beverages with lunch and dinner

•Barista coffees

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service

Please note:

Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.